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Minimum wage by state (2026)
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and it applies in 20 states that have no higher rate. The District of Columbia has the highest minimum, $18.40, followed by Washington ($17.13), Connecticut ($16.94) and California ($16.90), according to the US Department of Labor table updated on July 1, 2026.
By Asier Fernández ·
Minimum wage in every state
| State | Minimum wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7.25 | No state law |
| Alaska | $14.00 | Daily overtime after 8 hours |
| Arizona | $15.15 | |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | |
| California | $16.90 | Daily overtime after 8 hours, double time after 12 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | Daily overtime after 12 hours |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | |
| Delaware | $15.00 | |
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | Adjusted every July 1 |
| Florida | $14.00 | |
| Georgia | $7.25 | State rate $5.15; the federal $7.25 applies to employers covered by the FLSA |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | |
| Idaho | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Illinois | $15.00 | |
| Indiana | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Iowa | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Kansas | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Louisiana | $7.25 | No state law |
| Maine | $15.10 | |
| Maryland | $15.00 | |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | |
| Michigan | $13.73 | Rises to $15.00 on January 1, 2027 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | Adjusted every year |
| Mississippi | $7.25 | No state law |
| Missouri | $15.00 | |
| Montana | $10.85 | $10.85 for businesses with sales over $110,000 |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | |
| Nevada | $12.00 | Daily overtime after 8 hours for those earning under 1.5 times the minimum |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | |
| New York | $16.00 | $17.00 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester; $16.00 elsewhere |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $11.00 for employers with gross receipts of $405,000 or more |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 for larger employers; $2.00 for others |
| Oregon | $15.55 | |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | No state law |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | No state law |
| Texas | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Utah | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Vermont | $14.42 | |
| Virginia | $12.77 | |
| Washington | $17.13 | |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | Federal minimum |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | State rate $5.15; the federal $7.25 applies to employers covered by the FLSA |
Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026. Rates that changed after that date are not included; many states adjust on January 1. Cities and counties can set higher rates, and tipped workers and some small employers have their own rules. Check your state labor department before relying on a figure.
The federal minimum wage
The Fair Labor Standards Act sets the federal minimum at $7.25 an hour (29 U.S.C. 206). Where a state or city sets a higher rate, the employer must pay the higher one. The federal law also requires overtime at one and a half times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek.
Minimum wage for shift workers
A shift differential is paid on top of your base rate and, under federal rules, it counts in the regular rate used to work out overtime (29 CFR 778.207(b)). A few states add daily overtime that matters on 12-hour shifts: California after 8 hours a day and double time after 12, Alaska after 8 and Colorado after 12. At $16.90 in California, a 12-hour shift pays 8 hours at the regular rate and 4 at time and a half. See the shift pay calculator for a whole year and the salary calculator to turn a rate into a yearly figure.
More guides
Figures are worked out from each cycle; rules checked against official sources on . How we calculate
Questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
$7.25 an hour, set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. States and cities can set higher rates.
Which state has the highest minimum wage?
Washington, at $17.13 an hour, among the states. The District of Columbia is higher, at $18.40 (DOL table, July 1, 2026).
Which states use the $7.25 federal minimum wage?
Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
How much is minimum wage a year?
At $7.25 and 40 hours a week, $15,080 a year. At California's $16.90, $35,152.
Do night shifts pay more than minimum wage?
Federal law does not require a night premium. If your employer pays one, it goes on top of the rate and counts in your overtime rate.